My daughter is 4 months old and is always sucking on her fingers and her thumb and getting frustrated every time she has them in her mouth. I reasd that they will do that at this age. Should I stop the thumb sucking now or will it not effect her at this age? Sometimes I give her a teether but she prefers her little hands. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did you do about it?
I've been told that at this young age it's actually good for their development. It's called "self-soothing". Most babies grow out of it themselves. I think it's not a problem until baby get's upper front teeth? Maybe google self-soothing babies and see what you find? Peter either sucks his thumb or his 1st 2 fingers at once, I just let him.
Just about everyone whose kids didn't take a pacifier, had this problem. :) But in my opinion, it's not a problem yet. Babies have a natural sucking instinct and they need it for comfort, etc. Both my kids are/were thumb suckers. My little girl ended at 2 and my little boy is one and sucks his thumb when sleeping. 2 is my cut off!! I've read that it shouldn't hurt their teeth at that age. So for now, it comforts and soothes and is okay with me.
My baby also did this. She refused to take a pacifier, but would suck on her hands until she gave herself little blisters. We tried & tried to stop her, but nothing helped. She is now 7 months old & has pretty much stopped on her own. I wouldn't worry about it.
Congrats on your baby! I work in a daycare and have two kids myself. I have always noticed that when the babies suck on their hands it tends to mean they want more food. I watch a 2 1/2 month old in the daycare and she sometimes drinks between 6 and 8 oz when she is with me. So try to give her more food when she does that and see if that solves the problem. Good luck!
I remember when my son was tiny, people would seem surprised that we were so willing to use a pacifier for our son. It seems so many people are steering away from them now. However, my view has always been that if the baby doesn't use a pacifier, they'll use their thumbs. And, when it comes down to it, it's easier to wean a kid from a pacifier than it is to wean from a thumb, since you can hardly remove the thumb.lol So, my suggestion is, if it concerns you, you might want to try pushing the pacifier a bit. As your baby gets used to the pacifier supplying that comfort, hopefully the thumb will be forgotten.
My daughter is three and a half and still sucks her thumb...I also sucked my thumb as a child and personally I don't see any harm in it. I also talked to our Ped and Dentist and both say that it is rare for it to harm them at this age. I think they say four should be the cut off. I have a good friend who's son is five and still occassionally sucks his thumb, they are working on weaning him, but at the moment they are being told them same thing...that it would be rare to cause serious issues. I know everyone has different oppinions on this, but sometimes I think people blow things way out of proportion. I think it should really be a matter of personal choice. If you don't want your child to suck their thumb then try to offer them something else. If you don't mind then let it go. With my daughter she only sucks her thumb when she has her blankie so at age three, six months ago, we decided that she could have her blankie when she is at the house or in the car. At age four she'll only be able to have it in the house and if she is still sucking her thumb at age five we will only allow her to have her blankie at bed time. Also talk to your childs doc and your dentist, but even then I still think it is a matter of personal choice.
Goodluck and I'm sure your little one will be fine regardless of what you choose!
M.
